Exploring Health Care Aides' Perspectives on Work Life in Long-Term Care

This inquiry sought to promote positive change in work life for health care aides (HCAs) in long-term care. Participatory action research (Reason & Bradbury, 2008) methodology was used to engage 10 HCA participants in a virtual focus group. The study explored the primary research question: How can we improve health care aides’ work life from their perspective? Thematic analysis revealed five themes: (a) complex resident care, (b) personal safety, (c) communication with leadership, (d) staffing concerns, and (e) training needs. The conclusions are that an ideal work life is characterized by enhanced supports for providing complex resident care, personal safety at work, improved communication with leadership, adequate staffing, and training tailored to HCA needs. Recommendations include: implementing initiatives to enhance HCAs’ work life, such as strengthening supports for delivering complex resident care, prioritizing employee safety, enhancing communication channels and establishing a feedback mechanism, improving staffing allocation, customizing training, and supporting employee well-being. Keywords: health care aides, long-term care, participatory action research (PAR), quality of work life, work environment, work life conditions, care environment, personal support workers, resident care aides, leadership, medically complex patients

Author dc:creator

• Tomlinson, Heather, A.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Young, Wendy

• School of leadership studies

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-19246

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/27572